Chalk-line reel.



JQG. P. WHITE-MORE.

GHALK LINE REEL.

APELIUATION FILED MAR. 14, 1910.

963,967., Patented Ju1y12,1910.

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E3 FTENT FFf.

JOHN C. F. WHITIVIORE, OF MAYFIELD, PENNSYLVANIA', ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALFTO MARY ALICE WHITMORE, OF JERMYN, PENNSYLVANIA.

CHALK-LINE REEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 12, 1910.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN C. F. WHIT- MORE, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Mayfield, in the county of Lacka wanna and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inChalk-Line Reels, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to chalk lines and particularly to theconstruction of the reel operating mechanism thereof.

It also contemplates the provision of a spring means whereby the reelmay be released to wind the line.

With the above and other objects in view, this invention consists of theconstruction, combination and arrangement of parts all as hereinaftermore fully described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section of a chalk line reelconstructed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is au endelevation of the reel; Fig. 3 is a section taken along line 3 3 of Fig.l, parts thereof being broken away.

The reel forming the subject matter of the present invention comprises acylindrical casing 10 provided adjacent to one eX- tremity with thepartition 11, said partition extending diametrically across the casing.A shaft 12 carrying the drum 13 is mounted in the easing and isjournaled centrally in the partition 11 and the heads 14 and 14.

Mounted between the head 14 and the partition 12 is a large spur gear15, to the shaft 16 of which is secured the spring 17, said springhaving the free terminal thereof attached to the casing. In order toprovide a means whereby the gear 15 may drive the shaft 12 when it isdesired to wind the line about the drum 13, a gear 18 is carried by theshaft 12 directly under the gear 15 and is adapted to mesh therewith.Thus it will be seen that upon permitting the spring to act on the gear15, the drum will be rotated, winding the line secured thereto about thesame.

To provide for the retaining of the drum in a stationary position, arectangular head 19 is carried at the terminal of the shaft 12,projecting through the head or cover 14. This rectangular head operatesin a clutch member indicated as A, said clutch member comprising acircular enlarged hand piece 2O which is reduced at 21 to engage thehead 19.

Diametrically disposed on each side of the reduced portion 21 are thespring arms 22, said spring arms having their terminals bent inwardlytoward the head 14 and provided with the slots 23. These slots areadapted to permit the ends of the spring arms to engage and reciprocateon the pins 24 carried by the head 14. From this construction it willreadily be seen that, upon applying a pressure upon the finger piece 20the spring arms will be operated and the head 19 will be projected intothe enlarged portion of the thumb piece, thus permitting the shaft to berotated by the spring 17.

An opening 25 is provided centrally in the casing through which projectsthe line 26, said line being secured at its inner terminal to the drum13.

In order to provide a means whereby the line may be constantly chalked,a partition 27 is superposed above said drum and provided with alongitudinal slot 28 through which passes the line 26. A supply ofpulverized chalk is constantly contained in the chamber B formed by thepartition and is thereby always inengagement with the line.

The head 14 is removable through the instrumentality of the pin 29carried by the casing operating in the bayonet slot 30 in the head 14.

The removable head 14 carries the centrally disposed nger piece 31,which in combination with the oppositely disposed finger piece forms ameans whereby a firm and secure hold may be retained on the casing.

Having thus described my invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a chalk line reel, the combination with a casing having apartition formed on one side thereof, a shaft mounted in said casing, ahead formed at one extremity of said shaft projecting from said casing,means whereby said shaft may be rotated, and a clutch member adapted toengage said head comprising a finger piece having diverging spring armsreciprocating on said casing.

2. In a chalk line reel, the combination with a casing, a shaft mountedin said casing, a faced head formed at one extremity of said shaft andprojecting from said cas- In testimony whereoi:I I affix my signatureing, means whereby said shaft may be roin presence of two witnesses.

tated, ins formed on said casing, and a clutch Ilhember adapted toengage said head JOHN C' F WHITMORE' having divergent spring arms formedthere- Witnesses:

in provided with slots at the extremity there- H. A. WHITMAN,

of adapted to reciprocate on said pins. MARTIN MOYLE.

